Chi-Sau exercises start with various levels of Dan-Chi-Sau, using only one arm, continues with Poon-Sau, the rolling arms, and finally leads to the actual Chi-Sau, using both arms for different attacks and defenses. Bruce Lee introduced Chi-Sau to the public during his first demonstration. Invited by Ed Parker did Bruce Lee participate in the Long Beach International Tournament in 1964, was discovered and subsequently offered the role of Kato, the masked crusader in the 1965 TV series "The Green Hornet". Above video clip features some of the Chi-Sau sequences, starting at about 3:00 into the clip.

Different 'wing chun' lineages place importance on different aspects of the Chi-Sau exercises. In my many years of learning and teaching Wing Tsun I have seen that besides the benefit of developing reflex-like responses many other important advantages begin to form.

One builds over time a good feel for balance, resilient against attempts of being pulled or pushed. It promotes the linkage of muscle groups throughout the body, helping towards a fluid and flexible movement. Another result of Chi-Sau training is an increasing ‘short range’ striking power. Timing and fine-tuned feeling for distance, co-ordination between hand/arm and footwork, better positions, angles and many other accomplishments make the Chi-Sau training a well-rounded exercise.

Quite a few enjoy Chi-Sau even as a different kind of fitness exercise, a workout from hell you can’t get in any gym! Why not? Not everybody’s goal or intention is to become a Kung Fu fighter or Wing Tsun professional. Many look around for different types of exercises, new workout challenges. Again … Why not?

Now today to another set of ideas to help you improve your Chi-Sau training:Exercise 2 – Speed:1a) Train any Chi-Sau exercise extremely slow, and I mean really in slow motion. When others in class look at you for just a moment, they should almost have the impression that you stand still. Now try to keep this slow motion up for 20 minutes or longer. For example go through a set of attacks and defenses. Feel exactly which muscles get involved when and how. Feel your tensions, attempt to release them. Feel which muscles don’t seem to do their job. This can be a very excruciating exercise. I have seen many seasoned and strong training partners start shaking and sweating and breaking down within minutes.1b) Train with ‘regular’ speed, meaning your typical speed during Chi-Sau exercises, yet pay attention to details of your positioning, balance, smooth foot work (stepping, turning, yielding - horizontal AND vertical), distance, timing, etc.1c) Now train at the highest possible speed, without losing control, without getting sloppy, without losing technical skills, without imitating a windmill, you get the idea. Now many begin to find out what fluidity, flexibility and mobility can mean.

Let’s meet again soon for the third set of ideas on how to improve your Chi-Sau training.

Even within the various 'wing chun' lineages the meaning and execution of Chi-Sau exercises are differently interpreted. I also remember seminars given by my Sifu and Sigung where the same exercise looked every time different. Identical verbal instructions along with varying technical demonstrations of a Chi-Sau section.For many very confusing, is it on the other side a sign of function. If your training or demo partner is taller, shorter, stronger, weaker, faster, slower, more aggressive or rather defensive, well this should effect your responses.Let's agree that within Wing Tsun Kung Fu the Chi-Sau exercise has next to other goals the premise of learning to detect via physical contact the direction, the speed and even the strength of an opponent’s attack.

Wing Tsun offers unique Chi-Sau sections, which usually don't exist in other 'wing chun' lineages. You could also call them two-man forms, which combine in each section a certain number of techniques, attacks and defenses, counter-attacks and counter-defenses. Chi-Sau sections can guarantee that the instructor does not forget to teach certain scenarios, does not exclude certain techniques or applications that he/she personally dislikes (or didn't train enough!).

Assuming the knowledge of Wing Tsun Chi-Sau exercises, here today a few thoughts on how to make your training more effective. I often encourage my students to purposely make mistakes. If you always try to do everything by the book, you might be surprised when your skills misfire when working with a, to say the least, non-cooperative training partner.

Exercise 1 – Distance:1a) Try varying your exercises by going into the furthest distance at which you can still manage to maintain contact with your training partner.1b) Resume in the regular (optimum) distance, dictated by how we learn the angles and positions of techniques in our Wing Tsun forms.1c) Now try to work in the closest possible distance, for example with almost completely collapsed Bong Sau or Tan-Sau.Train until you can respond in time and successfully in any distance. The three examples could be of course be extended into any distance.

Above you will find a few impressions from our 2008 Jumpstart Seminar at Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver. Exercises serve at different times various purposes. Often it is difficult to interpret the meaning of a certain exercise by just watching a video.

Many also forget that any martial art is man-made. It is OK to have different opinions, it is OK to differ in interpretations. Besides the point of encountering more politics in martial arts than in politics, one unfortunately may find even in the most flexible martial art often astoundingly stiff and immovable opinions and views. So, let's work on implementing the fluidity and flexibility of Wing Tsun in our approach to daily life as well as our attitude towards others.

Even professional martial arts organizations show their true face when they talk about leaving members as traitors, as the incompetent. When they talk about revealing certain "high" techniques only to the worthwhile, to the chosen ones. Haven't we heard this before in history?

Wing Tsun Kung fu is in its nature about adaptation to unforeseen circumstances. So, how does the reality check of your adaptation skills turn out?

Let's not just work on our technique, being 'open-minded' in our physical responses, but also respect the views of others.

At the end of two exhausting seminar evenings; Edmond Chow and Sebastian Molnar working on only one training aspect during blind-folded Chi-Sau, to stay loose and relaxed while trying to feel direction, speed and strength of light attacks.

Thanks to all members of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver for a great seminar. Your motivation and dedication is always a great experience. Each one of our seminars features exercises around a unique topic. This one could be described as: "True function is born out of the intensity with which we train the basics!". Missed the seminar? We hope to see you next time.

Interested in Self-Defense?Find our Self-Defense Open House ad on page 21 in the Spring 2008 Mind, Body & Soul magazine of The Georgia Straight, Vancouver's News and Entertainment Weekly.The first month of 2008 has come to a close and it's time to take a hard look at the progress of our New Year’s resolutions. Kick off 2008 right! It's the perfect time to get into a exciting new training routine. What's the secret to keeping your New Year's resolutions in 2008? Don't go it alone! We at Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver are looking forward to see you for our two week Open House event in February. Join us for a great workout. Four evenings of commitment-free training.

Wing Tsun Kung Fu is not just about self-defense, it’s about developing a healthy level of confidence, it’s about learning to successfully deal with stress scenarios, but it’s also about discipline, and balancing your work and your private life as well as a training routine that completes you as a person. Use the feedback from your classes as a positive boost to get through tough times at work, and yes, even at home.

All the information about the Open House, including address, map and photos of the school location, can be found at our special Open House web site at www.FreeSelfDefenseClasses.com.

No need to call ahead. Feel free to bring participating guests along. Join us during the following four evenings:Monday, February 4th, 7-10pm, evening 1 of 4Wednesday, February 6th, 7-10pm, evening 2 of 4Monday, February 11th, 7-10pm, evening 3 of 4Wednesday, February 13th, 7-10pm, evening 4 of 4

video clip: Sebastian Molnar and his lovely wife Yukiko performing during a anniversary dinner in front of members of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver and their families.

Today I want to take a moment and introduce yet another member of the trainer team at Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver. Sebastian is highly motivated, passionate and enjoys learning and teaching. But let his bio speak. You can find it at our special Open House web site at www.FreeSelfDefenseClasses.com, click on the tab 'Trainer Team' and scroll down to 'Sebastian Molnar'. Or click here for a direct link.

Another quote from Sebastian: "The other side to learning is passion." Enjoy reading his bio!

New Blog by Brian Yam: Grashopper 2.0 - Functional Wing Tsun Kung Fuphoto: with Brian (fourth from the left) and other demo team members after an introduction of Wing Tsun Kung Fu at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia in 2002.

I haven't forgotten about my blog entry from January 7th 2008. To be continued within a day or two!

Brian Yam is one of the long time members of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver, the first Canadian Wing Tsun branch. You have read about him on previous occasions here in my blog and you may have watched his Wing Tsun Kung Fu demo at a Open House event in early 2007. The video clip is also listed on our special Open House web site at www.FreeSelfDefenseClasses.com

Brian named his blog Grashopper 2.0: "Follow the path of one man's journey in his search for fully functional expression of the Wing Tsun Kung Fu system of self-defense."

The first entries have been posted and I am very much looking forward to many more. Check out Brian's blog at www.functionalwingtsun.com

Brian wants his blog to be a place to document his learnings, challenges, developments as well as his observations of the Wing Tsun Kung Fu system over the years. He plans on adding video clips and pictures to complement the message he is trying to put out. The blog will also contain information from a theory paper he was working on. I too think that the blog is a great alternative, in today's world a better form for Brian to present step by step the contents of his theory paper.

Especially for our members - Brian always welcomes your input, your recommendations as to new topics. He would like to receive your suggestions of follow-ups, certain topics. So, just talk to Brian in class.

Lunch & learn seminar at Envision FinancialThe photo features some of the participants of today's lunch break self-defense seminar at Envision Financial in Langley, British Columbia, made possible by Bojan Subotic, Director Technical Services. I was once again accompanied by Fitness and Wing Tsun trainer Steve McMinn (stevemcminn.com).

The introduction of the four Wing Tsun Kung Fu fighting principles and two practical exercises were well received and readily trained by everyone. The lunch & learn seminar also covered the application of the four fighting principles in an work environment. After all, stress in the work place, dealing with office politics is no different than the stress we face in a physical scenario.The ability to position yourself well, instant mobility, flexible responses and reliable self-confidence, might read like part of the wish list when you apply for your next job. Self-defense doesn't start when punches are flying. Learn to be confident and aware of your surroundings to avoid problems before they even happen.

Attackers choose victims not opponents!

Contact me at SifuRalphHaenel at aol.com to arrange a lunch & learn seminar for your company. Discover the extended application of ancient Kung Fu techniques in a corporate environment. Enjoy an exciting and fun workout resulting in a positive motivation for your team.

Members of our school show different self-defense applications, one of the demonstrations at our school's anniversary dinner in July of 2007.

Today a simple look back, a listing of 2007's special classes and courses at Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver, the first Canadian Wing Tsun branch. Did you know, our independent Wing Tsun school is now going into its 14th year?

The annual beach class at Vancouver’s beautiful Kitsilano beach, advanced classes for the Wing Tsun trainer team, special topic and grading seminars, WingTsun-ChiKung and ‘Fit for Self-defense’ classes are part of our teaching schedule as well as bonus classes throughout the year.

The past year has been once again a very busy year. January 2007 started out on the 1st with a bonus class, followed by our first special topic and grading seminar the week after. In February we held the next class of the Wing Tsun Core Concepts course. The ten WingTsun-CoreConcepts are the backbone of our unique teaching method, the result of decades of experience. On March 9th the Trainer Team got together at the Golden Swan for a fun-filled yet intense power dinner.The last day of March and April 1st was the date for our very successful weekend seminar on Vancouver Island, visiting two Wing Chun schools.Several ChiKung classes were held in April, followed by a first ever Technician Grade Program Review Class on May 12th. The Technician Grades are the “black belts” of Wing Tsun Kung Fu.After yet another special ChiKung class at the end of May, June started powerfully with our second special topic and grading seminar.

July featured a bonus Canada Day class and on July 7th our seventh annual beach class at Kitsilano beach, yet another bonus for all loyal members.Another ChiKung class and finally on July 20th our big anniversary dinner with well over 60 guests, alos featuring several demos. The dinner has been a memorable event marking my beginnings in martial arts 30 years ago.

July 28th and August 4th marked the dates for our next Technician Grade Program Review Classes for many advanced members of our school. We have been reviewing step by step and in great detail the first seven Wing Tsun Chi-Sau sections. High level Technician Grades were working through the Biu-Tze Chi-Sau sections.

On BC Day, August 6th, yet another bonus class for everyone. You see, even if you occasionally miss some group classes, there are many opportunities throughout the year to catch up.

September 15th was the date for the members of our Trainer Team, a bonus class, at which we continued to work on the advanced Technician Grade programs.Followed on September 17th by a ChiKung class. Don’t miss our ‘CorePower in Motion’ workout. Every single WingTsun-ChiKung features a different aspect, giving you many exercises for a train-at-home plan. This year we introduced very beneficial partner exercises to drastically increase your workout results.

And finally the year’s third and last special topic and grading seminar on September 24th and 26th offered yet another special Wing Tsun topic.The following month presented a bonus class on Monday, November 12th the long Remembrance Day weekend, followed by Brian’s “Fit for Self-defense” class on November 26th.

As always, the school remained open throughout the holiday season in December.

Benefit your employees! Lunch break self-defense seminars, a great motivational tool.Following an invitation we held on Monday, November 19th a lunch break self-defense seminar on behalf of accenture.com at the Canadian headquarters of Best Buy and Futureshop. Some 40+ people attended the introduction to the self-defense system of Wing Tsun Kung Fu. Steve McMinn (stevemcminn.com) and Adrian Law of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Vancouver assisted the participants during their exercises and contributed to the enthusiastic atmosphere of the one hour self-defence seminar.

Previous introductions and lunch break seminars have been held at the:

- University of British Columbia (UBC)

- Simon Fraser University Burnaby (SFU)

- Office for Indian and Northern Affairs** (DIAND) in downtown Vancouver, **today the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Looking for a way to broaden your employees' knowledge and interactive skills? Learn how to 'translate' fighting principles of a successful self-defense system into business principles! The one-hour session is generally held on-site in a conference room, cafeteria or wherever there's room. Send us an e-mail to arrange a lunch break seminar, an introduction to self-defense at your company.